A New Jersey father has been arrested after he was accused of decapitating a seagull after it apparently attempted to eat his daughter's fries.
On July 6, officers from the North Wildwood Police Department were called to Morey’s Piers on Boardwalk Avenue following a concerning call regarding animal cruelty.
Witnesses say Cape May resident Franklin Zeigler, 29, had "decapitated" a seagull with his bare hands, per Fox 19. He then allegedly asked employees at Morey’s Piers for a trash bag while holding the headless sea bird.
Police say that when confronted by the officers, Zeigler reported became "irate and uncooperative" over matters relating to "an unrelated investigation".
This led to his arrest, where he was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Authorities have since added an additional charge of third-degree animal cruelty, per WPVI-TV.
Zeigler apparently told officers that he had ripped the seagull’s head off after it began attempting to take his daughter's French fries, per the probable cause statement for his arrest.
The father was released on a summons pending a future court date, per police.
Anybody with any additional information is asked to contact the the North Wildwood Police Department Detective Division at (609) 522-2411.
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